Malicious Code Injection in cool_bass-appteadev: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-100993: Malicious code in cool_bass-appteadev (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package cool_bass-appteadev is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the inclusion of malicious scripts within the cool_bass-appteadev package. These scripts are designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall cool_bass-appteadevIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the cool_bass-appteadev package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, ensure that your package-lock.json file is monitored for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The cool_bass-appteadev package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that modifies package files and repopulates the npm registry with compromised versions. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by removing this package and utilizing tools like Vulert to safeguard their applications from future vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
cool_bass-appteadev is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages automatically.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the cool_bass-appteadev package immediately and monitor your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor vulnerabilities, and ensure you only use trusted packages from reputable sources.
